Topic: Current recorder options

[tms]

Hi,

I've been off TS for a while, can anyone tell me what are the recorder options that meet the following conditions:

1:  removable media such as SD or CF or an internal hd which appears as a mass storage device (not dependent on drivers or software from the recorder manufacturer)
2:  standard batteries such as AA
3:  good A/D for recording without an external A/D at 16/44.1 wav
4:  able to record 4-5 hours at least before swapping batteries or memory
5:  JB3 size or less
5:  $400 or less

Here's why.  I need to be able to start recording at a music festival then walk away for 4-5 hours due to family duties (we have 3 kids).  I have at-853's, a SP battery box, and currently JB3's.  I'm not willing to add an A/D and its battery, minimizing gear size.  JB3's are great for externally powered bit buckets but feeding them 5v adds noise to my recordings when recording analog. Also I don't want to try to maintain a fleet of 4-6 batteries for a 3-4 day festival.

I'm leaning towards the edirol r-09, any other options?  The MT and iRivers have a special batt, right?  How's the Zoom stuff?

Thanks for any help!

Todd in Buffalo

[Roving Sign]

If you can swing just a tad more and can stand to buy on ebay the Fostex FR-2LE seems like a really nice product.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fostex-FR2LE-Field-Recorder-FR-2LE-FR2-LE-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ250174228881

My rig is AC based, rack stuff...and I want to slim down and have nice portable available.

As far as a stock unit goes - I like this one the best so far...

http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/pro_products/fr2le.shtml

[eric.B]

edirol R-09

but retail price + memory card will bring ya over 400 bucks..

used edirol R1? or used R-09..

much preferred line in ability on the R9 as compared to microtrack (allthough obviously I dont know about the new model coming out)..  I don't know anything about the zoom units..

[bugg100]

If you can live with an out board 4AA battery box, the irivers meet all criteria.  The h320(only analog) allows USB charging, meaning the EnergiToGo thing from Energizer (2AA) works also.  Very small batteries. 

Add a Church Audio  pre for analog or  Core Sounds Mic2496 for optical......

The iRivers and church pre are all about the size of a pack of cigarettes.

$100-150 for recorder, $150-$200 for Church Audio pre, battery solutions are $20 for the energizer, $5-8 for AA from Radioshack.

Any help?

Joe

[tms]

I've been checking them out, they're pretty cool.  Running RockBox?

I don't mind an external battery pack as long as it takes a standard battery and lasts a long time. 

I do mind the preamp though.  Is it necessary?  I'm running AT853 mics to a SP battery box, then line-in.  I'd even like to run without the battery box if the recorder supplied mic power.

Is the iRiver a mass storage device?  Meaning, if I plug it into a USB port is it automatically detected and given a drive letter by Windows?  I want to avoid needing to install special drivers or software to be able to get my wav files off the recorder.

How is the internal battery life of the iRivers?  Do they go bad periodically?

Thanks for the help!

Todd in Buffalo

If you can live with an out board 4AA battery box, the irivers meet all criteria.  The h320(only analog) allows USB charging, meaning the EnergiToGo thing from Energizer (2AA) works also.  Very small batteries. 

Add a Church Audio  pre for analog or  Core Sounds Mic2496 for optical......

The iRivers and church pre are all about the size of a pack of cigarettes.

$100-150 for recorder, $150-$200 for Church Audio pre, battery solutions are $20 for the energizer, $5-8 for AA from Radioshack.

Any help?

Joe

[tms]

Wow, that thing is awesome.  More bells and whistles than I really need, but WOW.  Very cool.  I'm going to noodle around on ebay and see what those go for.  Wow....

If you can swing just a tad more and can stand to buy on ebay the Fostex FR-2LE seems like a really nice product.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fostex-FR2LE-Field-Recorder-FR-2LE-FR2-LE-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ250174228881

My rig is AC based, rack stuff...and I want to slim down and have nice portable available.

As far as a stock unit goes - I like this one the best so far...

http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/pro_products/fr2le.shtml